Chained Sand

Sports Sunday in East Honolulu

Hawaii Kai will be a focus of some serious sports activity this Sunday.  The 40K bicycle portion of the Tinman Triathlon is coming out to Hawaii Kai in the morning and then back to Kapiolani Park.  Then starting around noon the first of a long string of Paddleboarders will be completing the 32 mile crossing from Kaluako’i Beach on Molokai to Maunalua Bay.  While most will be lying down while they do that some will be standing the whole way!  Makes me tired just thinking about it.

 

Blurred Surfer

I made the leap to a DSLR in 2005 with the Konica Minolta Maxxum 7D.  The photo ops that pushed the limits of my 7D and lens combination were lowlight with alot of movement.  I took a bunch of pictures that I knew weren’t great but they had potential if I knew how to work with them.   Surfing subjects within an hour of sunset were a challenge.  I could push the ISO up to 1600 but I wasn’t happy with those results.  The highest I would go was ISO 800 with my 28-200 Sigma at full zoom.  With the lens as wide as it would go the best shutter speeds I could get were 45th or 60th of a sec. After my initial post processing I set those pics aside to wait for a better day.  Today is the day for one of them.  With recent upgrades in both hardware and software plus additional skill with the software (Lightroom and Photoshop), I’m revisiting those early efforts.   What ya think?

College Baseball is about to start!!!

Moment before the tag

This Friday is the opening weekend for college baseball in Hawaii. The University of Hawai`i baseball team opens its 2009 season this weekend (Feb. 20-22) when it hosts UC Irvine on Friday at 6:35 p.m., Saturday at 1:05 p.m. (doubleheader), and Sunday at 1:05 p.m.

If your in the area it’s inexpensive entertainment. The most you’ll spend is $8 per person for a ticket to get in. The food is good and cheap and the seats are brand new. What more could you want outa life!
Well some good pics would be nice!

Bird on Chair

Bird on Chair

Honolulu Marathon

The 37th Honolulu Marathon is coming up this Sunday Honolulu Marathon 2008 | Powered by EventsOnline.ca Since I live along the race course getting pics is just a matter of walking out my front door. Hopefully, the weather will cooperate. We expect some rain over the next few days. There’s nothing like watching 20,000 people go strolling past your door. The Japanese are great participators. They bring there own cheering sections and some dress up in strange costumes.

Don't Ask

NAPP

No, this post isn’t about the virtues of taking a nap. Although I heartily recommend you take one on a regular basis. This is about the National Association of Photoshop Professionals.

Being a bit of a computer geek since the mid 80’s I knew about Photoshop and it’s reputation as the top graphics and image editing tool. Since my needs in that area were decidedly modest I had no need or desire to spend the considerable amount to get the program. Then digital photography came on the scene along with a timely discount offer for Photoshop 7. Talk about serendipity.

Using Photoshop for the first time is like getting thrown into the deep end of the pool, without getting swimming lessons first. I quickly came to realize the Photoshop motto should be “Why do it just one way, when a half dozen different ways will do.”

This is where NAPP comes into the story. I bought several books to help me but NAPP had short bite size tutorials designed to show you how to create a specific effect in Photoshop. Learn by doing. What’s more the website had video tutorials that you could watch! Neat!

I created the border around the picture you see below by watching a video by R.C. Concepcion on the website. Thank you R.C.

While I’ve found Photoshop useful in my photography, Lightroom really greased the wheels of my pursuit of improvement. As I’ve mentioned in previous posts. NAPP has plenty of resources to help you with Lightroom as well.

There’s a lot more available to you so take a look and if you like what you see click on this link to sign up.
Refer a Friend You’ll get “The Best of Photoshop User: The Tenth Year” DVD as a bonus gift.

One more thing, I realize it’s called National Association of Photoshop Professionals. Therefore, you need to be making a living using Photoshop. Nope. You just need the desire to improve. NAPP will help you do that.

Lightroom Tip

Lightroom allows for a couple of easy ways to create a Black and White. You can do a simple desaturate of the color channels or go gray scale. Either way, after you’ve got the image the way you want it. Take one more step and play with the White Balance slider. You can coax a slightly different look out of an image.

Photo on right is before White Balance adjustment

Welcome

In front of the Hawaii Convention Center is a bronze statue that symbolizes the welcoming spirit of the Hawaiian people. I was there for Scott Kelby’s Lightroom Power Tour last December and took this picture at the end of the day. Which was a mistake because the light wasn’t strong.
To improve the image I utilized the presets available in Lightroom. Finally, I settled on a Split Toning that added a little warming to it. I’d originally thought to make it B&W but I like the green tinted glass of the Convention Center in the background.

Bronze Statue at Hawaii Convention Center

Mid Month Post

Surf